Methods of increasing productivity in older sows while decreasing feed intake

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for feeding older sows that beneficially reduce feed intake in older sows, yet improve pig survival and weaning weight of pigs from older sows.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/392,644,filed on Feb. 25, 2009, entitled “METHODS OF INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY INOLDER SOWS WHILE DECREASING FEED INTAKE,” which is a divisional of andclaims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/019,951, filed on Dec. 21, 2004, entitled“METHODS OF INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY IN OLDER SOWS WHILE DECREASING FEEDINTAKE,” which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,805 on May 5, 2009, thebenefit of priority of each of which is claimed hereby, and each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spray-dried plasma (SDAP) is a diverse mixture of functional componentsconsisting of immunoglobulins, albumin, fibrinogen, lipids, growthfactors, biologically active peptides (defensins, transferrin), enzymesand other factors that have biological activity within the intestineindependent of their nutritional value.

In the nursery pig environment, spray-dried plasma is used extensivelyin feed to enhance intake, growth, and feed efficiency. Literaturereviews (Coffey and Cromwell, Pig News Info. 22:39N-48N (2001); van Dijket al., Livest. Prod. Sci. 68:263-274 (2001)) indicate an averageimprovement in body weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency of 25,21, and 4%, respectively, due to consumption of SDAP by weanling pigs.Spray-dried plasma improves protein utilization (Jiang et al., J. Nutr.130:21-26 and 2016-2019 (2000)), has anti-inflammatory effects(Touchette et al., J. Anim. Sci. 80:494-501 (2002); Bosi et al., J.Anim. Sci. 82:1764-1772 (2004): Perez-Bosque et al., J. Nutr.134:2667-2672 (2004)), and reduces the severity of enteric andrespiratory disease (Quigley and Drew, Food Agric. Immunology 12:311-318(2000); Torrallardona et al., J. Anim. Sci. 81:1220-1226 (2003);Campbell et al., J. Appl. Poult. Res. 13:388-393 (2004)).

In lactating sows, adequate feed intake is crucial for minimizingsubsequent reproductive loss. Higher daily feed intake reduces tissueloss, increases litter weight gain and reduces the probability of aprolonged wean to estrus interval (Eissen et al., J. Anim. Sci.81:594-603 (2003)). Greater feed intake in lactation is also positivelycorrelated with a greater percentage of primiparous sows expressingestrus within 8 days post-weaning (Patience et al., Swine NutritionGuide, 2^(nd) Ed. Pp. 133-166 (1995)).

Inadequate feed intake by lactating sows is a problem in commercialproduction that is a primary factor contributing to reproductive lossand sow attrition. Additionally, older sows, or sows that have producedmore than two litters of pigs, often produce fewer pigs in subsequentlitters. The progeny of older sows frequently have reduced weaningweights and lower survival rates, compared to the pigs produced in priorlitters.

Therefore, a need exists for methods for feeding sows that provideimproved survival and weaning weight of pigs produced by older sows.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for providing a sow with a dietthat includes an amount of plasma that is effective to increase thelitter weaning weight of pigs produced by a parity 3 or greater sowwhile reducing the feed intake of the sow.

The present invention also provides a method for feeding a parity 3 orgreater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that is effectiveto increase the weaning weight of a pig produced by the parity 3 orgreater sow while reducing the feed intake of the sow. The presentinvention further provides a method for feeding a parity 3 or greatersow a diet comprising an amount of plasma that is effective to reducethe average daily feed intake of the parity 3 or greater sow.

Additionally provided by the present invention is a method for feeding aparity 3 or greater sow with a diet that includes an amount of plasmathat is effective to increase the survival rate of pigs produced by theparity 3 or greater sow while reducing the feed intake of the sow. Thepresent invention also provides a method for feeding a parity 3 orgreater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that is effectiveto improve the average daily weight gain of a pig produced by the parity3or greater sow while reducing the feed intake of the sow.

The present invention also provides a method for feeding a parity 3 orgreater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that is effectiveto improve the survival rate of top-value pigs produced by the parity 3or greater sow while reducing the feed intake of the sow.

Additionally provides by the present invention is a method for feeding aparity 3 or greater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that iseffective to reduce the average daily feed intake of the parity 3 orgreater sow without increasing the days to estrus interval of the sow.Further provided by the present invention is a method for feeding aparity 3 or greater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that iseffective to reduce the average daily feed intake of the parity 3 orgreater sow, wherein the days to estrus interval of the sow remains thesame. Also provided by the present invention is a method for feeding aparity 3 or greater sow a diet that includes an amount of plasma that iseffective to reduce the average daily feed intake of the parity 3 orgreater sow and decrease the days to estrus interval of the sow.

Further, in certain embodiments of the methods of the present invention,the effective amount of plasma in the diet fed to the older sows isabout 0.4-0.6% of the diet. In other embodiments of the methods of thepresent invention, the amount of plasma is at least 0.01% of the diet.In other embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the amountof plasma is at least 0.5% of the diet. In other embodiments of themethods of the present invention, the amount of plasma is less than 15%of the diet.

Additionally, in other embodiments of the methods of the presentinvention, the plasma is from a bovine, porcine, or an avian species,and may be spray-dried. In additional embodiments of the methods of thepresent invention, the plasma has not been separated from whole blood.In other embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the plasmahas been separated from whole blood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As detailed in this application, the present invention provides methodsfor the use of plasma in the diets of sows. In accordance with theinvention, plasma can be obtained from various sources, for example,from animal sources such as from bovine, porcine, and/or avian species.In some embodiments of the invention, the plasma is the plasma componentof blood that has been separated from whole blood. In some embodimentsof the invention, the plasma is plasma that has not been separated fromwhole blood. In certain embodiments of the invention, whole blood orplasma is combined with the feed. The plasma may be in the form of driedplasma, for example, freeze-dried, paddle-dried, and/or spray-driedanimal plasma. The plasma can be dried by any method that does not causethe plasma to lose ability to promote growth when added to feed.Commercially available forms of plasma are available, for example, fromAPC Inc., Ankeny, Iowa.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the animal plasma is dried,e.g., is spray-dried, animal plasma, e.g., from a bovine, porcine,and/or avian species. As used herein, the term “SDAP” refers tospray-dried animal plasma from any source.

As used herein, the term “sow” refers to an adult female pig. As usedherein, the phrase “lactating sow” refers to a sow that has given birthto a litter of pigs and is presently producing milk.

As used herein, the phrase “older sow” refers to a sow that has givenbirth to more than 2 litters of pigs. As used herein, the phrase “parity1 sow” refers to a sow that has had its first litter of pigs. As usedherein, the phrase “parity 2 sow” refers to a sow that has its secondlitter of pigs. As used herein, “parity 3 or greater sow” or “parity 3⁺sow” refers to a sow that has had more than three litters of pigs.

As used herein, the term “weaning” refers to the removal of young pigsfrom a lactating sow. As used herein, the term “estrus” refers to a sowthat is receptive to mating. As used herein, the phrase “days to estrus”refers to the number of days from weaning to estrus.

As used herein, the term “improve” may mean an increase, or that abetter average is provided.

The phrase “lactation days” refers to the number of days that a sow isnursing a litter of pigs. The phrase “non-productive days,” as usedherein, refers to the number of days that a sow is not pregnant orlactating.

As used herein, the phrase “pigs fostered” refers to the standardizationof the total number of pigs between sows during lactation within threedays of birth.

The phrase “sow productivity,” as used herein, is a general term thatindicates overall efficiency of reproductive performance, i.e., morepigs born and weaned per litter with consistent estrus, pregnancy, andlactation cycles.

As used herein, the phrase “weanling pigs” refers to pigs that are nolonger being fed by a lactating sow and have been physically removedfrom the lactating sow. The phrase “progeny pigs” refers to theoffspring produced by a sow.

The phrase “top-value pigs,” as used herein, refers to pigs that weigh3.6 kg or heavier at a weaning age of 15 to 17 days. These pigs would beconsidered healthy and have a high likelihood to survive the weaningprocess.

The phrase “sow feed intake,” as used herein, denotes the amount of feedconsumed by a sow per day or per period of production.

“Pig survival to weaning,” as used herein, refers to the number of pigsthat survive from birth to weaning. As used herein, the phrase “littersize” refers to the number of pigs born alive within a litter of pigs.The phrase “subsequent litter size” refers to the number of pigs bornalive within the next litter produced by a sow.

As used herein, the phrase “segregated parity” refers to the practice ofhousing sows of parity 1, 2 or older separately and in differentfacilities in order to reduce the spread of disease from older sows toyounger sows.

The phrase “inflammatory immune response,” as used herein, refers to theinflammation-causing response of the immune system to a disease,pathogen, antigen or stress.

In certain embodiments of this invention, “standard lactation feed” is adiet that is formulated and produced to be fed to lactating sows. Asused herein, “standard lactation feed” provides an allowance or measureof food to sustain the daily dietary and nutritional needs of alactating sow. For example, the National Research Council providesguidelines for the nutritional requirements of lactating sows. (SeeNational Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Swine, Tenth RevisedEd., 1998; tables 10-9, 10-10 and 10-11, p. 119-121; National AcademyPress, Washington D.C., U.S.A.).

According to the invention, Applicants have unexpectedly discovered thatplasma, when fed to older sows, was effective to lower the daily feedintake of the older sows, while improving progeny pig survival toweaning. Additionally, Applicants have unexpectedly discovered that thenumber of top-value pigs and the survival rate of top-value pigsimproved when older sows were fed plasma, while the feed intake of theolder sows was reduced. It has also been unexpectedly discovered thatwhen plasma is included in the feed of older sows, progeny pig survival,number of progeny pigs weaned, litter weaning weight, average pigweaning weight, and average daily weight gain of progeny pigs from oldersows are improved with no change in days to estrus interval. It hasfurther been unexpectedly discovered that when plasma is fed to an oldersow, the average daily feed intake of the older sow is reduced withoutincreasing the days to estrus interval. It has also been unexpectedlydiscovered that when plasma is fed to an older sow, the average dailyfeed intake of the older sow is reduced and the days to estrus intervalof the sow remains the same. It has further been unexpectedly discoveredthat when plasma is fed to an older sow, the average daily feed intakeof the older sow is reduced and the days to estrus interval of the sowdecreases. Again, these results are unexpected, since older sows fedplasma consumed less feed per day. Thus in one embodiment of theinvention, the plasma provided to the older sows is in an amount thatreduces the average daily feed intake of the older sows.

In some embodiments of the invention, the plasma provided to the oldersows is provided in an amount that increases the average daily weightgain (ADG) of the progeny pigs, while reducing the feed intake of theolder sows. In other embodiments of the invention, the plasma providedto the older sows is provided in an amount that increases the averagedaily feed intake (ADFI) of the progeny pigs, while reducing the feedintake of the older sows. In further embodiments of the invention, theplasma provided to the older sows is provided in an amount thatincreases the weaning weight (WW) of the progeny pigs, while reducingthe feed intake of the older sows. In an alternate embodiment of theinvention, the plasma provided to the older sows is provided in anamount that increases the litter weaning weight of pigs produced byolder sows while reducing the feed intake of the older sows. Inadditional embodiments of the invention, the plasma provided to theolder sows is provided in an amount that improves the survival to rateof the pigs produced by the sows while reducing the feed intake of thesows.

Additionally, according to the invention, Applicants have unexpectedlydiscovered that SDAP, when fed to older sows, was effective to lower thedaily feed intake of the older sows, while improving progeny pigsurvival to weaning. Additionally, Applicants have unexpectedlydiscovered that the number of top-value pigs and the survival rate oftop-value pigs improved when older sows were fed SDAP, while the feedintake of the older sows was reduced. It has also been unexpectedlydiscovered that when SDAP is included in the feed of older sows, progenypig survival, number of progeny pigs weaned, litter weaning weight,average pig weaning weight, and average daily weight gain of progenypigs from older sows are improved with no change in the days to estrusinterval. It has further been unexpectedly discovered that when SDAP isfed to an older sow, the average daily feed intake of the older sow isreduced without increasing the days to estrus interval. It has also beenunexpectedly discovered that when SDAP is fed to an older sow, theaverage daily feed intake of the older sow is reduced and the days toestrus interval of the sow remains the same. It has further beenunexpectedly discovered that when SDAP is fed to an older sow, theaverage daily feed intake of the older sow is reduced and the days toestrus interval of the sow decreases. Again, these results areunexpected, since older sows fed SDAP consumed less feed per day. Thusin one embodiment of the invention, the SDAP provided to the older sowsis in an amount that reduces the average daily feed intake of the oldersows.

In some embodiments of the invention, the SDAP provided to the oldersows is provided in an amount that increases the average daily weightgain (ADG) of the progeny pigs, while reducing the feed intake of theolder sows. In other embodiments of the invention, the SDAP provided tothe older sows is provided in an amount that increases the average dailyfeed intake (ADFI) of the progeny pigs, while reducing the feed intakeof the older sows. In further embodiments of the invention, the SDAPprovided to the older sows is provided in an amount that increases theweaning weight (WW) of the progeny pigs, while reducing the feed intakeof the older sows. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the SDAPprovided to the older sows is provided in an amount that increases thelitter weaning weight of pigs produced by older sows while reducing thefeed intake of the older sows. In additional embodiments of theinvention, the SDAP provided to the older sows is provided in an amountthat improves the survival to rate of the pigs produced by the sowswhile reducing the feed intake of the sows.

Specific embodiments and values listed below are for illustration only;they do not exclude other defined values or other values within definedranges.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the amount ofplasma fed to the sows is at least about 0.01% of the diet. In anotherspecific embodiment of the present invention, the amount of plasma fedto the sows is at least about 0.05% of the diet; in another specificembodiment of the present invention, the amount of plasma fed to thesows is at least about 0.1% of the diet; in another specific embodimentof the present invention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows is atleast about 0.2% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of thepresent invention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows is at leastabout 0.3% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows is at least about 0.4%of the diet; in another specific embodiment of the present invention,the amount of plasma fed to the sows is at least about 0.5% of the diet.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the amount ofplasma fed to the sows is less than about 15% of the diet; in anotherspecific embodiment of the invention, the amount of plasma fed to thesows is less than about 0.12% of the diet; in another specificembodiment of the invention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows isless than about 10% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of theinvention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows is less than about 8% ofthe diet; in another specific embodiment of the invention, the amount ofplasma fed to the sows is less than about 5% of the diet; in anotherspecific embodiment of the invention, the amount of plasma fed to thesows is less than about 3% of the diet; in another specific embodimentof the invention, the amount of plasma fed to the sows is less thanabout 1% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of the invention,the amount of plasma fed to the sows is less than about 0.6% of thediet.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the amount of plasma fed to thesows is about 0.01-15% of the diet. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the amount of plasma is about 0.05-10%* of the diet. Infurther embodiments of the invention, the amount of plasma is about0.1-5% of the diet. In other embodiments of the invention, the amount ofplasma is about 0.3-2% of the diet. In further embodiments of theinvention, the amount of plasma is about 0.4-0.6% of the diet.

The percentage of the plasma fed to the sows may, of course, be variedand may conveniently be between about 0.01-15% of the diet. The amountof plasma fed to the sows is such that an effective amount will beprovided.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the amount of SDAPfed to the sows is at least about 0.01% of the diet. In another specificembodiment of the present invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sowsis at least about 0.05% of the diet; in another specific embodiment ofthe present invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sows is at leastabout 0.1% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sows is at least about 0.2% ofthe diet; in another specific embodiment of the present invention, theamount of SDAP fed to the sows is at least about 0.3% of the diet; inanother specific embodiment of the present invention, the amount of SDAPfed to the sows is at least about 0.4% of the diet; in another specificembodiment of the present invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sowsis at least about 0.5% of the diet.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the amount ofSDAP fed to the sows is less than about 15% of the diet; in anotherspecific embodiment of the invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sowsis less than about 0.12% of the diet; in another specific embodiment ofthe invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sows is less than about 10%of the diet; in another specific embodiment of the invention, the amountof SDAP fed to the sows is less than about 8% of the diet; in anotherspecific embodiment of the invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sowsis less than about 5% of the diet; in another specific embodiment of theinvention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sows is less than about 3% ofthe diet; in another specific embodiment of the invention, the amount ofSDAP fed to the sows is less than about 1% of the diet; in anotherspecific embodiment of the invention, the amount of SDAP fed to the sowsis less than about 0.6% of the diet.

In further embodiments of the present invention, SDAP is fed to thesows. In those embodiments of the invention, the amount of SDAP fed tothe sows is preferably about 0.01-15% of the diet. In certainembodiments of the present invention, the amount of SDAP is preferablyabout 0.05-10% of the diet. In further embodiments of the invention, theamount of SDAP is more preferably about 0.1-5% of the diet. Morepreferably, in certain embodiments of the invention, the amount of SDAPis about 0.3-2% of the diet. Most preferably, the amount of SDAP isabout 0.4-0.6%) of the diet.

The percentage of the SDAP fed to the sows may, of course, be varied andmay conveniently be between about 0.01-15% of the diet. The amount ofSDAP fed to the sows is such that an effective amount will be provided.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limitingExamples.

EXAMPLES Example I Effect of Spray-Dried Plasma in Lactation Feed in aSegregated-Parity Sow Herd

Introduction: Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) increases feed intake inweanling pigs and is thought to reduce inflammatory immune response,particularly at the intestinal mucosa. Heat stress reduces voluntaryfeed intake in sows resulting in maternal weight loss and increased daysto breeding. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectsof SDAP (Appetein™, APC, Ankeny, Iowa, U.S.A.) in lactation feed on sowfeed intake, pig survival to weaning, days to estrus, and subsequentlitter size in a segregated-parity commercial sow herd.

Dietary Treatments: Lactation feed treatments were pelleted andcontained either 0 or 0.5% dietary SDAP (Appetein™). Three controlformulations (one for each parity group) were used, consisting of thestandard lactation feed for each parity group. See Table 1 for dietarytreatments. Control, P1, P2, and P3+ sows were fed diets formulated tocontain 3.3 Mcal ME/kg (ME=metabolizable energy) and 1.30%, 1.04% and1.04% total lysine for the respective parity groups. Major ingredientsincluded corn, sorghum grain, soybean meal, wheat midds, bakeryby-products, and choice white grease or tallow. No other animalproteins, metabolic modifiers or antimicrobials were included in thedietary treatments. Supplemental chromium picolinate was included in alldiets at 0.05%.

TABLE 1 Dietary treatments fed during Experiment I SDAP Diet P3 Diet P2Diet P1 Diet Ingredient % % % % Milo 35.27 22.92 35.81 24.39 Corn 8.515.00 9.70 15.00 0.00 Soy Meal 47.5 19.60 19.71 19.85 29.90 Wheat Midds20.00 18.32 20.00 17.86 Bakery ARK 0.00 23.34 0.00 20.00 Choice whitegrease 3.70 1.75 3.35 2.00 CWG (Spray-On) 2.00 0.80 2.00 2.05 Limestone1.25 1.25 1.25 1.32 Monocal 21P 18C 0.90 0.71 0.90 1.03 Dynamate K—Mg0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 Plasma 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 Salt 0.35 0.00 0.35 0.05L-lysine 0.20 0.23 0.23 0.17 Nursery VTM 0.00 0.18 0.00 0.00 Sow VTM0.15 0.00 0.15 0.15 Choline 60 Dry 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Chromax 0.05 0.060.05 0.05 Zinc Oxide 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Threonine 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.06dL-Methionine 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00Swine ME, kcal/lb 1519 1501 1508 1507 Lysine, % 1.04 1.06 1.04 1.30

Animals and Facilities: The study was carried out at a commercial farmthat practices segregated parity management and involved 894 PIC sows.Parity 1 (P1) and parity 2 (P2) sows were housed at separate sites andparity 3 and older sows (P3+) were housed at two other separate sites.Each site had 16 farrowing rooms with 28 crates per room. There were 4,4 and 8 rooms assigned per treatment by parity 1, 2 and 3+ sows thatprovided 112, 112 and 223 sows per treatment by parity group,respectively. Sows farrowed during August and September when heat stresswould be expected to reduce feed intake. Since one feed bin suppliedfeed to 2 farrowing rooms, treatment was assigned to feed bins. Anautomated feed system delivered 4 feedings per day. Daily feed intakewas recorded on individual sow feed record cards. Diets were fed fromthe day the sows entered the farrowing room until weaning. Creep feedwas not offered to pigs. Supplemental milk replacer (containing SDAP)was not provided to pigs in this experiment. Data collected includedindividual lactation feed intake, lactation days, pigs fostered andweaned per litter, pig survival to weaning, days to estrus, and numberof pigs born alive during the next litter.

Results: Treatment effects by parity are presented in Table 2. Lactationlength averaged 18.4 days across all parities, but was longer for P1sows fed SDAP, and less for P3+ sows fed SDAP (See Table 2.) The numberof pigs per litter after fostering was less (P<0.05) for P3+ sows fedSDAP. Both P1 and P2 sows fed SDAP had greater (P<0.0001) daily feedintake (+0.5 kg/d). Conversely, P3+ sows fed SDAP had less (P<0.01)daily feed intake (−0.3 kg/d), but pig survival to weaning was improved(P<0.05) (89.3 vs 92.0%) for P3+ sows. Lactation length was used as acovariable in statistical analysis of the feed intake data for eachparity group, yet treatment effect on feed intake remained highlysignificant (P<0.04) for all parity groups.

Parity 1 sows fed SDAP (Table 2) had reduced days to estrus (−2.5 d) anda greater percentage of P1 sows expressed estrus by day 7 postweaning(P<0.01) (60.2 vs 82.2%). The reduced days to estrus treatment effectwas further evaluated by covariable analysis, Neither lactation length,pigs fostered per litter, or average daily feed intake, when used as acovariable, altered the significance of the treatment effect of SDAP ondays to estrus in P1 sows. Although P3 sows had reduced (P<0.05) averagedaily feed intake, the number of days to estrus or percentage in estrusby day 7 was unchanged (P>0.10).

TABLE 2 Impact of SDAP in Lactation Feed in Segregated-Parity Sows SDAPVariable ^(a) Parity 0.0% 0.5% Trt effect (P) Lactation days P1 17.719.2 <0.0001 P2 18.1 18.4 0.12 P3+ 18.7 18.2 <0.0001 Pigs fostered P110.70 10.58 0.16 P2 10.78 10.63 0.16 P3+ 11.20 10.78 <0.0001 Pigs weanedP1 9.88 9.90 0.93 P2 9.54 9.55 0.93 P3+ 9.98 9.89 0.52 Pig survival, %P1 92.5 93.8 0.39 P2 88.7 90.1 0.43 P3+ 89.3 92.0 0.0260 ADFI, kg/d P14.3 4.8 <0.0001 P2 5.0 5.5 <0.0001 P3+ 5.8 5.5 0.0094 Days to estrus P18.3 5.7 0.0002 P2 6.1 6.6 0.49 P3+ 6.5 6.3 0.81 Non-productive days ^(b)P1 12.3 9.8 0.07 P2 9.4 10.6 0.29 P3+ 10.3 10.0 0.79 % in estrus D 7^(c) P1 60.2 82.2 0.0004 P2 80.4 82.2 0.73 P3+ 80.6 79.0 0.69 ^(a)Average lactation length = 18.4 d. Sows/trt/parity = 112, 112, 223. ^(b)Days from weaning to next litter—114 gestation days. ^(c) Values areleast square means using Chi-square analysis.

Conclusions: Spray dried animal plasma (0.5%) increased daily feedintake in P1 and P2 sows and reduced days to estrus and percentage inestrus by day 7 in P1 sows. In older sows (P3+) fed SDAP, pig survivalimproved, while daily feed intake decreased. Additionally, in older sows(P3+) fed SDAP, there was no change in the number of days to estrus orthe percentage in estrus by day 7.

Example II Effect of Spray-Dried Plasma in Lactation Feed in an OlderSow Herd

Introduction: Due to the lower feed intake and improved pig survivalresults of P3+ sows fed SDAP in Example 1, it was decided to repeat theexperiment using similar dietary modification (0 vs 0.5% SDAP) in dietsfor older sows (P3+). The goal of this experiment was to obtainadditional feed intake information, pig survival data, litter weightsand number of top-value pigs (>3.6 kg) weaned.

Dietary Treatments: Lactation feed treatments were pelleted andcontained either 0 or 0.5% dietary SDAP (Appetein™ APC, Ankeny, Iowa,U.S.A.) and both control and SDAP diets were formulated to contain 3.3Mcal ME/kg and 1.00% total lysine. Major ingredients included corn,soybean meal, wheat midds and animal-vegetable fat blend. No otheranimal proteins, metabolic modifiers or antimicrobials were included inthe dietary treatments. Supplemental chromium picolinate was included inall diets at 0.10%. See Table 3 for dietary treatments.

Daily feed intake was recorded on individual sow feed record cards.Diets were fed from the day sows entered the farrowing room untilweaning. Creep feed was not offered to pigs. Supplemental milk replacer(containing SDAP) was provided to all pigs during day 1-12 of lactationin this experiment.

TABLE 3 Dietary treatments fed to older sows Control SDAP DietIngredient % % Milo (Low Tannin) 30.00 30.00 Corn 22.17 28.00 SoybeanMeal 47 19.92 19.35 Wheat Midds 13.79 10.31 Bakery ARK 7.42 5.07 Fat,A-V Blend 3.00 3.00 Limestone 1.25 1.26 Monocal 21P 18Ca 0.82 0.85Dynamate K—Mg 0.65 0.65 Plasma 0.00 0.50 Salt 0.25 0.28 L-lysine 0.200.20 VTM 0.19 0.19 Choline 60 Dry 0.17 0.17 Chromax 0.04% 0.10 0.10L-Threonine 0.07 0.07 dL-Methionine 0.02 0.01 Total 100.00 100.00 SwineME, kcal/lb 1492 1500 Lysine, % 1.00 1.00

Animals and Facilities: The study was conducted at a commercial farmthat practices segregated parity management and involved 588 P3+ PICsows. Each site had 16 farrowing rooms with 28 crates per room. Sowsfarrowed during August and September when heat stress would be expectedto reduce feed intake. Since one feed bin supplied feed to 2 farrowingrooms, treatment was assigned to feed bins. An automated feed systemdelivered 4 feedings per day. Daily feed delivered was recorded onindividual sow feed record cards. Diets were fed from the day the sowsentered the farrowing room until weaning. Creep feed was not offered topigs. Data collected included individual lactation feed intake,lactation days, pigs fostered and weaned per litter, pig survival toweaning, and days to estrus.

Results: Average lactation length was 16.9 days and was not differentbetween treatments, nor was pigs fostered per litter different betweentreatments (See Table 4). A very similar response to SDAP for ADFIoccurred in this experiment as observed in Example 1. Average daily feedintake was reduced (P=0.0016) for P3+ sows fed SDAP (−0.3 kg/d).

In this Example, litters were weighed one day before weaning and thenumber of top-value pigs per litter (pigs that weighed>3.6 kg) wasrecorded. Survival of all pigs per litter was not affected by treatment(P=0.4203). However, survival of top-value pigs was improved (P=0.10)for sows fed SDAP. The number of top-value pigs weaned (+0.3 pigs) wasalso improved (P<0.03) for sows fed SDAP. Litter weaning weight, averagepig weaning weight and average daily gain of pigs from sows fed SDAP wasimproved (P<0.01) suggesting improved milk production by sows fed SDAP.These results are unexpected, since sows fed SDAP consumed less feed perday and pigs from sows fed either treatment had access to supplementalmilk replacer during day 1 to 12 of lactation.

TABLE 4 Impact of SDAP in Lactation Feed in Older Sows SDAP Variable^(a) 0.0% 0.5% Trt effect (P) Sow ADFI, kg/d 5.3 5.0 0.0016 Pigsfostered/litter 10.7 10.8 0.3309 Pigs weaned/litter 9.67 9.82 0.2221Survival all pigs, % 90.5 91.4 0.4203 Top-value pigs weaned ^(b) 8.939.24 0.0286 Survival top-value pigs 83.8 86.0 0.1002 Litter wean weightall pigs, kg 50.7 54.1 0.0004 Avg. pig wean wt., kg ^(c) 5.24 5.500.0003 ADG, g/d ^(d) 240 255 0.0001 ^(a) Avg. lactation length = 16.9 d.Avg. parity = 5.95. Litters = 280 and 308 for 0 and 0.5% SDAP. ^(b)Top-value pigs weighed >3.6 kg ^(c) Sows = 268 and 284 for 0 and 0.5%SDAP. ^(d) Calculated from farm historical birth weight data (avg. =1.43 kg).

All publications, patents and patent documents are incorporated byreference herein, as though individually incorporated by reference.While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additionalembodiments and that certain of the details described herein may bevaried considerably without departing from the basic principles of theinvention.

1. A method to increase the survival rate of pigs produced by a parity 3or greater sow while reducing the feed intake of the parity 3 or greatersow, comprising providing the parity 3 or greater sow a diet comprisingan effective amount of plasma so that the survival rate of pigs producedby the sow is increased while the feed intake of the sow is reduced. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of plasma is about 0.4-0.6% ofthe diet.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of plasma is atleast about 0.01 % of the diet.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theamount of plasma is at least about 0.5% of the diet.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the amount of plasma is less than about 15% of thediet.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasma is from a bovine,porcine, or avian species.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasmais spray-dried.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasma has notbeen separated from whole blood.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theplasma has been separated from whole blood.
 10. A method to improve thesurvival rate of top-value pigs produced by a parity 3 or greater sowwhile reducing the feed intake of the parity 3 or greater sow,comprising providing the parity 3 or greater sow a diet comprising aneffective amount of plasma so that the survival rate of top-value pigsproduced by the sow is improved while the feed intake of the sow isreduced.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the amount of plasma isabout 0.4-0.6% of the diet.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein theamount of plasma is at least about 0.01% of the diet.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the amount of plasma is at least about 0.5% of thediet.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the amount of plasma is lessthan about 15% of the diet,
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein theplasma is from a bovine, porcine, or avian species.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the plasma is spray-dried.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the plasma has not been separated from whole blood.
 18. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the plasma has been separated from wholeblood.